Garden Veggie Pizza Squares Recipe

Pre-made pizza dough: A convenient base for your pizza, saving you the time of making dough from scratch.

Marinara sauce: A rich tomato sauce that serves as the flavorful base for the pizza.

Mozzarella cheese: Shredded cheese that melts beautifully, providing a gooey, cheesy layer.

Bell peppers: Sliced for a sweet and crunchy topping.

Cherry tomatoes: Halved to add a burst of juicy flavor.

Red onion: Sliced thinly for a mild, slightly sweet taste.

Olive oil: Drizzled on top to enhance the flavors and help the vegetables roast.

Dried oregano: Sprinkled for a touch of herbal aroma and taste.

When spreading the marinara sauce on the pizza dough, use the back of a spoon to create an even layer, ensuring that you leave a small border around the edges to prevent the sauce from spilling over during baking. This will help achieve a perfectly crisp crust.

• pre-made pizza dough - Substitute with whole wheat pizza dough: Whole wheat dough adds more fiber and nutrients, making it a healthier option.

• marinara sauce - Substitute with pesto sauce: Pesto provides a different flavor profile with its rich, herby taste, and can be a refreshing change from tomato-based sauces.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded cheddar cheese: Cheddar offers a sharper taste and melts well, providing a different but delicious flavor.

• sliced bell peppers - Substitute with sliced zucchini: Zucchini has a mild flavor and similar texture, making it a good alternative for bell peppers.

• halved cherry tomatoes - Substitute with sliced sun-dried tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes offer a more intense, concentrated tomato flavor and a chewy texture.

• sliced red onion - Substitute with sliced green onions: Green onions have a milder taste and can add a fresh, slightly peppery flavor to the pizza.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for cooking and drizzling.

• dried oregano - Substitute with dried basil: Dried basil provides a sweet, aromatic flavor that complements the other ingredients well.

• Allow the pizza squares to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the crust soggy.
• Place the cooled pizza squares in an airtight container. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through.
• For freezing, wrap each pizza square individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures they stay fresh and prevents freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped pizza squares in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of storage time.
• Freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes or until hot and crispy.
• Alternatively, reheat directly from frozen by baking at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, checking periodically to ensure they don't overcook.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the leftover pizza squares on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from over-browning. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Skillet Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the pizza squares in the skillet and cover with a lid. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure the crust doesn't burn. This method helps maintain a crispy bottom while reheating the toppings evenly.

• Microwave Method: Place a microwave-safe plate with the pizza squares in the microwave. To avoid sogginess, place a microwave-safe cup of water next to the plate. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to ensure the cheese is melted and the crust is warm.

• Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pizza squares directly on the toaster oven rack or on a small baking sheet. Heat for about 5-10 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the pizza squares in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Heat for 3-5 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. This method is quick and ensures a crispy texture.

• Oven: Used to bake the pizza at the required temperature of 425°F (220°C).

• Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface to roll out and bake the pizza dough.

• Rolling pin: Helps in rolling out the pizza dough evenly on the baking sheet.

• Spatula: Useful for spreading the marinara sauce evenly over the dough.

• Cheese grater: If you need to shred mozzarella cheese from a block.

• Knife: Essential for slicing the bell peppers, halving the cherry tomatoes, and slicing the red onion.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting and preparing the vegetables.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and sliced vegetables.

• Teaspoon: Needed to measure the olive oil and dried oregano.

• Cooling rack: Allows the pizza to cool slightly before cutting into squares.

• Pizza cutter: Ideal for cutting the baked pizza into squares for serving.

Use pre-chopped veggies: Save time by buying pre-chopped bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and red onions from the store.

Preheat the oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the ingredients to cut down on waiting time.

Use parchment paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.

Opt for pre-shredded cheese: Use pre-shredded mozzarella cheese to save the time it takes to shred it yourself.

Batch prep ingredients: Prepare extra veggies and sauce for future meals to save time later.